Ting is a mobile virtual network operator (MVNO), or a cell phone company that doesn’t own its own network of towers, but instead leases voice and data capacity from other carriers. We’ve been hearing about Ting for a while, mostly from contented customers. Until now, though, customers were limited to phones that were purchased from the carrier, or off-contract devices from the Sprint network. Starting next year, that will change. [More]

This minute’s latest rumor is that the can you hear me now guy could be put to work testing iPhones soon. DigiTimes reports that Apple has placed an order with Taiwan-based Pegatron for CDMA iPhone that could reach up to 10 million units. CDMA devices don’t work on AT&T’s GSM network. Verizon’s network is CDMA.

Verizon’s next generation of devices will run on the GSM network that will be used by AT&T and T-Mobile, meaning that in a few years, customers with unlocked phones will be able to move between the three providers without purchasing new equipment. Verizon currently uses a CDMA network along with Sprint, but last week announced that it would use the GSM-protocol LTE (Long Term Evolution) for their fourth-generation data services. Note, Verizon’s LTE phones will not be backwards-compatible with the current GSM networks run by AT&T and T-Mobile. Both are expected to support LTE. And don’t expect to see the new phones anytime soon…

Let’s face it. Cellphones are here to stay and you need to know a little something about how they work if you’re going to know which one is right for you. Over at Yahoo! they’ve got a list of some cell phone acronyms that you could learn, thereby increasing your knowledge of the world around you. We know most of our readers are pretty well versed in everything cellphone, but its still worth taking a look.

If you have a problem with your cellphone making an annoying tkkttktktk sound come out your speakers, this Instructable says wrap it aluminum foil. Doing so should prevent the EMF gremlins from escaping and wrecking havoc on your audio equipment.

CingularThe new AT&T has shutdown the old AT&T’s TDMA network in Arizona, five weeks ahead of schedule. Reader Kevin sends us his complaint to the Better Business Bureau.

“I [contacted] Cingular Wireless on February 25, 2007 and was told that the old AT&T TDMA network was shutdown early in Arizona. I was given no notice that my phone would no longer work after February 23, 2007. Quite the contrary, the Cingular text message and website specifically state that service would be ending March 31, 2007. Now I am stuck with a worthless phone and a balance of $93.00 that I can’t use.”

Time Division Multiple Access is an anachronistic communications protocol that Cingular is phasing-out in favor of GSM. Most Cingular customers are unaffected by the shutdown. Subscribers with older phones and certain Free2Go customers may be screwed. Anyone stuck with a TDMA phone in an area without TDMA service can call Cingular (611 and 911 should still work) and request either a GSM phone, or a refund for unused minutes.